Ladies and gentlemen—The AHHS Class of 2024!
Posted by Alicia Smith on 6/27/2024 8:00:00 AM
The Alexander Hamilton High School Class of 2024, along with faculty, family, friends, and community supporters, gathered on the athletic field to celebrate their graduation. Some had fans, others used the event program to block the sun from their eyes and all had enormous smiles on their faces on the evening of June 25.
Principal Joseph Engelhardt said in his speech he heard from other principals who used AI to generate graduation speeches. Just for fun, he gave it a try.
“But I realized it didn’t capture the true essence and culture of Alexander Hamilton,” he said.
“It’s more important now than ever before in our country and in our history, in this world you are about to enter to be authentic and rely on yourselves and what you know to be true,” he said.
“The AI generated speech did not speak to how students support each other each and every day. The kind of care you showed, the kind of support and love the teachers showed the students each and every day, how we hosted community wide events, how some of our sporting events were standing room only, how our Rotary Club provides scholarships to so many of our students, how many of our students and seniors are part of the National Honor Society and how we have so many community mentors,” Mr. Engelhardt continued.
“No AI generated system can produce the real authenticity of a school or capture the moment of each and every one of you,” he said. “So, class of 2024, in the next phase of your life remember details, people matter, and your genuine selves will outdo any technology or AI that comes your way because you all have a heart that was instilled in you by your families and your extraordinary school community.”
Salutatorian Daisy Cuenca reflected on her time at Hamilton, including exploring her love of politics to learning a new language, playing an instrument which cultivated a love of music, travel abroad, and most importantly it gave the gift of forming bonds with others.
“The greatest lesson I’ve learned this year is that time waits for no one,” she said.
“Never let the present moment slip you by in anticipation of the future. The future will arrive and the moment we call ‘the present’ will soon be called the past. It is important that we breath in, breathe out and soak in what the present has to offer,” she encouraged her fellow classmates.
“Have fun, try new things, be good people, take a leap of faith, as you never know where it will take you,” she said.
Board of Education President David Hecht congratulated the students and told them how proud he was of all their accomplishments.
“I’m looking forward to hearing of your success,” he said. “Now is the time to go out into the world and be the best versions of yourselves.”
During the ceremony a number of students were presented with academic awards and scholarships before Valedictorian Jacqueline Dutan addressed the Class of 2024.
She noted how COVID impacted on them and reflected on what she learned from it.
Jacqueline shared a quote she heard, “one will never know the value of a moment until they become memories.”
She offered one piece of advice, “just enjoy.”
“Enjoy the little moments,” she continued, adding that some of her best memories are the small moments that shaped her journey.
In part of her speech, she spoke exclusively in Spanish, in recognition of those who have offered their support through her academic journey.
“As we stand in the presence of our future, uncertain of what lies ahead, face each opportunity and obstacle with courage and don’t let anyone feel like you don’t deserve what you want,” she concluded.
Interim Superintendent James Ryan not only officially pronounced the Class of 2024 as having met all the requirements of graduation, he also recognized how special this day was.
“My advice to you is to take some time to take a mental picture of this day,” he said, as it is one that will stay with them.
“You have gone on to be well rounded responsible young adults,” he said. “Beyond the classroom I’ve seen them involved in amazing displays of community service school spirit and support of one another.”
“You are truly a group of young people with a sense of community,” he said.
He then presented the Superintendent’s Award to Josahn Savage.
Students were soon presented with their diplomas, flipped their tassels to indicate their new status before tossing their caps in the air.